My hand gripped the towel anxiously as Alex took another step forward, and I took another one back, only to hit the wall. He closed the distance between us, and I – lo and behold – whimpered.
“I’d never hurt you, love,” he said gruffly, his eyes taking me in hungrily before settling on my face again. “I just want to make a few things clear.”
I nodded, wondering why he had to get into my personal space to talk, but loving the way he invaded it nonetheless. I gulped down my dread and looked him in the eyes, as if to urge the man to go on and be done already.
With the knuckles of his right hand, he caressed my cheek.
I drew in a sharp breath.
“I’ll be straightforward, Jade. I hate seeing you around Eli and Tyler, acting so cozy, so casual.”
“They’re my friends,” I told him in a tone tha
